NFL analysts are praising the Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive signings during the early 2026 free agency period, highlighted in prior coverage of the team's first-week moves. Experts like Gregg Rosenthal, John Breech, and Kay Adams see improved depth addressing last season's secondary woes.
Building on the Steelers' active first week of 2026 free agency—which included signings of safety Jaquan Brisker, safety Darnell Savage, defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day, cornerback Jamel Dean, running back Rico Dowdle, and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., as detailed previously—analysts have voiced strong approval of the defensive additions.
On his NFL Daily podcast, Gregg Rosenthal stated, “I really like their free agency. Because I kind of forgot, Jaquan Brisker, Darnell Savage and Sebastian Joseph-Day, are all defensive, solid players.” He acknowledged the team getting older but adding fitting pieces: Brisker on a cheap one-year deal (342 career tackles, 7.3% missed-tackle rate), Savage strong against the run despite coverage lapses (126.0 passer rating allowed in 2025), and Joseph-Day offering versatile depth behind Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, and Derrick Harmon on a two-year, $11 million contract. New jersey numbers include Joseph-Day's No. 69, Brisker's No. 3, Dean's No. 35, Pittman's No. 11, and Dowdle's No. 13.
These moves follow a 10-7 2025 season where Pittsburgh won the AFC North but lost in the wild-card round amid secondary injuries and struggles, prompting cuts like Darius Slay and late additions such as Kyle Dugger and Asante Samuel Jr. John Breech on CBS Sports HQ remarked, “It feels like people are sleeping on them,” praising Pittman as a No. 2 receiver, Dowdle replacing Kenneth Gainwell, and secondary reinforcements from Dean and Brisker, plus new punter Cameron Johnston. Kay Adams ranked the Dean and Brisker signings as her No. 2 favorite offseason move league-wide, citing Dean's elite coverage (lowest passer rating allowed among corners in 2025) and the transformation of the secondary from weakness to strength, bolstered by Savage and re-signed Samuel.
Questions linger at quarterback with Aaron Rodgers potentially returning at age 42.
